Using foodstamps to buy presents.

Do you think it is right for someone to buy food with foodstamps to give away as presents?

Say you were too poor to buy presents for your extented family (mom,dad, sibilings, and their kids), but you got a lot of foodstamps. Also you will be spending Christmas with them and they will give your family gifts.

Comments (69)

I wouldnt want someone to feel obligated to give me a gift to the point that they are rationing out foodstamps. If they want to give me something, Id love an hour of babysitting or some help with the household tasks that are difficult for me (due to health problems).

Last year we were in a very tough spot financially. I was loosing money going to work (daycare, gas, car insurance). DH was getting 14 hours a week at his job with unpredictable shifts (no way to find another job without loosing first) and we were on food stamps. Emi received great gifts that year for her birthday and Christmas. Her birthday party had 12 of our closest friends, homemade pizzas, and a basic $12 cake from Publix. Thanksgiving I visited our neighbors with a Pumpkn roll in hand. Christmas was similar but I modified my pumpkin roll recipe to use apple butter I had canned earlier that year. When I was not working and DH was off to watch Emi, I put in time helping others including cleaning the bathrooms at church twice a week so they would help with the power bill.

So, PP since its abusing the system to make goodies to give away as gifts. Do you also think it is abusing the system if people on foodstamp invite friends or family over for dinner? Should they never get to have guests over, because you work so hard at your job so they can have foodstamps.

Well I will kind of being doing something along those lines this Christmas. I am broke as shit but will be signing up for Food Stamps after I'm 18 until I'm in a better position.

I am making a couple recipe jars; for my sister and for my gramma. Ingredients I will be buying anyway, but some will go to them for their jars this Christmas.

I don't know if I lack shame for that because they are both in terrible financial situations and can use all of the food they get (my sister, although barely eating once a day, was denied help because she's trying to better her life) or if because I think it's okay.

My boy's donor had a sort of "adopted mom." That was how she bought her kids Christmas presents. She bought everything they would need for the rest of the month and spent the leftovers on their favorite little treats and what tiny amount of cash on a few nice toys. It was hard to shop with her. I wanted to cry. I wished I could afford to give her money.